Trends in the number and status of members of Orthodox non-governmental organisations in the second half of the 19th — beginning of the 20th centuries
Abstract
This article considers the intensive process of forming civil society in Russia in the late 19th — early 20th centuries by means of developing a network of non-governmental organisations; the reasons for their growth and recession are being studied as well. The activities of secular non-governmental organisations were focused on uniting people in order to solve mainly economic and social problems. After the church reforms, a great number of Orthodox public organisations arose to revive parish life, to improve spiritual and moral state of the population. In Perm’ diocese, there were a number of Orthodox public organisations, the most numerous and effi cient being the Orthodox Missionary Society, the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society, the Brotherhood of St. Stephen of Perm’, parish trusteeships, the Society of Orthodox Devotees. Their admission requirements were practically identical; however the members’ status was varied in accordance with their individual contribution. After a sharp increase in the number of society members in the early years of their operation, a gradual decrease in the membership took place as a result of political, economic and social changes. Nevertheless, this experience of strengthening people’s unity is very valuable nowadays; it should be carefully analysed and employed in the development of civil society in modern Russia.
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